I READ with interest last week’s Warrington Guardian comments praising the work that has been done in the Cultural Quarter (Warrington Guardian, September 2).

How time and views have changed.

I’m sure you recall when the town centre was changing considerably with all the public artwork including The Guardians.

My focus of attention then alongside the town centre was to change the face and appearance of Queens Gardens into a Cultural Quarter.

At the time I came under a great deal of criticism from the Warrington Guardian, which brought about a meeting with Steven Broomhead and I about the continued criticism aimed at me from the Guardian and some of my colleagues in the council and the Labour group.

We arranged a meeting with the then editor Jan Lever for them to get behind me and the council in an attempt to join our vision to change the face of the town centre and Culture Quarter.

Jan said the Guardian had already gone to print that week with further criticism of me regarding a piece of artwork in the Cultural Quarter costing £80,000.

Our aim was to create bars, restaurants, coffee bars, pavement cafes, craft shops, book shops etc.

A totally different vision for the area.

I remember going to a John Bishop concert at the Parr Hall to which he said: “I’ve just walked through your Culture Quarter.”

He paused and then said: “You’re having a laugh aren’t you.”

Well the vision of all those years ago has now almost come through and yes, I don’t mind blowing my own trumpet for the Culture Quarter.

Steven Broomhead was with me on this visionary walk.

And now as I look at my chimney breast wall with a large photograph of our wonderful Guardians I sit, smile and think a job well done.

MIKE HANNON Orford